A GUIDE TO THE BRAND
A GUIDE TO THE BRAND FOR
NORWOOD-FONTBONNE ACADEMY
WHAT IS A BRAND?
The Norwood-Fontbonne Academy brand is much more than its name, logo, colors, or tagline. Our brand is the promise we make about who we are as an educational institution, the needs we fulfill for students and families, and how and why we are different from peers or competitors.
WHY ARE WE FOCUSING ON OUR BRAND?
Norwood-Fontbonne Academy offers an exceptional educational experience for our students. With a verbal identity that clearly and concisely articulates who we are integrated throughout our marketing materials, and shared by our faculty, staff, Board, students, parents, and alumni, we will raise awareness of Norwood-Fontbonne Academy and attract right-fit families, all while reinforcing our unique identity among regional peers and competitors.
WHERE DO I FIT INTO THE BRANDING PROCESS?
YOU CAN HELP IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS
What is the Norwood-Fontbonne Academy Brand?
Norwood-Fontbonne Academy provides an exceptional independent school experience deeply rooted in the Sisters of Saint Joseph’s commitment that “all may be one.” As a proven leader in Montessori education, the school empowers students through its self-directed approach to learning, its diverse and inclusive community of families, and its meaningful, face-to-face service experiences. Within a nurturing community, students feel a strong sense of solidarity with God, their “dear neighbor,” the school, and each other as they are challenged to shape a more compassionate and socially responsible society. A physical representation of the school’s core strengths, the expansive 14-acre campus in the heart of Chestnut Hill provides students with an environment that fosters independence, openness, and active experiences.
KEY PHRASES TO REMEMBER
Self-Directed Approach to Learning Fosters Independence and Confidence
Deeply Rooted in the Sisters of Saint Joseph’s Commitment that “all may be one”
Expansive 14-Acre Campus Reflective of an Open and Active Community
Familiarize yourself with the brand identity and the value it offers.
2
Become a resource on the brand identity. Communicate the unique value of a NorwoodFontbonne Academy education to your network of family, friends, neighbors, and fellow educators at other schools.
3
Share ongoing news and successes with the Communications Department to help us communicate the Norwood-Fontbonne Academy story to a wider audience.
4
As an important member of the Norwood-Fontbonne Academy community, our promise of who we are and how we are different is something you already live and breathe each day—you are the brand! Using clear, consistent language and visuals to tell the Norwood-Fontbonne Academy story will only help magnify our message. 1
Provide feedback to the Communications Department on how your network receives our newly articulated verbal identity.
5
Recognize that you make the Norwood-Fontbonne Academy brand identity a reality by living it daily and by advocating for it among students, parents, and colleagues.
Norwood-Fontbonne Academy’s two educational programs, Montessori and Primary, provide options for parents and their children who work in partnership with the school to identify the best educational path for each student’s learning style. The fundamental educational philosophy of both programs empowers students to be confident and self-aware, make reflective choices, and to take ownership of their learning, all within a spiritual environment.
Norwood-Fontbonne Academy provides an integrated, self-directed approach to learning that combines academic challenge and abundant opportunities to participate in athletics and the arts with meaningful community service and a spiritual foundation.
The Montessori program offers a hands-on, individually paced learning experience in a multi-age classroom environment where the teacher is a facilitator. The Primary program offers an innovative project and theme-based learning experience in a single-age classroom environment with teacher-led activities and lessons.
A proven leader in Montessori education for 50 years, Norwood-Fontbonne Academy is one of only six accredited programs in Pennsylvania that offers a Montessori program from ages 3 through grade 3.
As a sponsored work of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, everything at NFA flows from the belief that “all may be one.” The students feel connected—to God, the school, teachers, and peers—which leads to a strong sense of solidarity within the community and a united commitment to serving others.
Service learning is an active experience at Norwood-Fontbonne Academy where students gain a deep understanding of service through pre-education, face-to-face interaction, and post-reflection. Integrated with religious education, service learning connects back to the Gospel values, which results in a truly meaningful experience for students.
Students are thoughtful and compassionate inside and outside of the classroom, a result of learning to love inclusively from the earliest of ages. With a deep respect for faith, students are not afraid to take risks. They put their faith into action by participating in service, promoting social justice, and being civically engaged.
A historic and expansive 14-acre campus in the heart of Chestnut Hill provides students with an environment that fosters independence, openness, and active experiences—a physical reflection of the school’s strengths. The campus also has unique indoor and outdoor learning spaces that are designed intentionally to support each developmental stage.
A diverse and open community of families who are connected by common values provides a welcoming environment that is relational and highly participatory. Inspired by the Sisters of Saint Joseph to be a “genuine presence” and a “dear neighbor,” the relationships that are formed and the experiences that are lived leave a lasting impression.
From immersive service to unique cocurriculars to intellectual pursuits, students are active and engaged as they learn to be leaders in areas where they are passionate. The depth and breadth of the options offered—65+ co-curriculars, exceptional art, theater, and music programs, STEM lab and digital arts center activities—encourage students to explore their interests and pursue their true potential. Technology is appropriately integrated at every grade level, and presentation and public speaking skills are emphasized starting at an early age.